Starting radio production: in 1931 at age 36

The radio rapidly grew in popularity during the depression. However, radios at that time were expensive and unreliable. But Konosuke had his three-tube model radio ready in three months, and immediately it won first prize in a contest sponsored by the Tokyo Public Broadcasting Station. To further promote the growth of this exciting new media, Konosuke purchased the rights to two key radio patents, releasing them to the public domain.